Chapter 871 Topple
Chapter 871 Topple
After an hour, Hudson rushed to the President's office. Benjamin, following the plan, lurked behind a corner. Zachary, seated in the office chair, greeted Hudson coldly as he entered.
Hudson, still as plump as ever, sported a mischievous grin, radiating a newfound confidence and cunning. "Hey, Mr. President, what's the rush that got me summoned here?" he asked, his tone sly and curious.
Sensing trouble brewing, Hudson maintained his cool and confident demeanor.
Zachary smirked faintly. "Mr. Collins, you're not just a stand-in this time, are you?"
Hudson chuckled nervously. "Nah, not this time. My stand-in in Stormaria got busted already."
Zachary's tone turned icy. "Well, Mr. Collins, despite your Umbraxis International gig, I still have the power to nab you for Celestoria."
Taken aback, Hudson stammered, "What? What did I do?"
Zachary raised his fingers, ticking off charges one by one. "Let's see... Monopolizing goods, shady fundraising, fraud, illegal takeovers, and the list goes on..."
As Zachary piled on the accusations, Hudson paled, realizing his imminent arrest. Feeling cornered, he asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Zachary waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing much. I've found a better replacement for you." He gestured behind him. "Benjamin, come on out." Before the words settled, Benjamin emerged from the corner, grinning.
Seeing Benjamin, Hudson broke into a cold sweat, his knees almost giving out as he knelt in defeat.
Dealing with Hudson turned out to be a breeze for Benjamin. It was a smooth victory.
Observing this power play, Zachary losing to Deathshade, Deathshade losing to Benjamin, Benjamin losing to Hudson, and Hudson losing to Zachary, it was a mind-boggling cycle of dominance and defeat. Who reigned supreme in this hierarchy? How could this be explained logically?
Upon reflection, the situation wasn't so perplexing. Everything in the world followed its own rules of creation and control, akin to Elemental Harmony with its cyclical balance. There was no need to overthink it.
"Long time no see, Mr. Collins!" Benjamin sneered, relishing the moment.
Realizing defeat was inevitable, Hudson shook his head in dismay. "Never thought I'd go from making headlines worldwide to being bested by a punk like you."
Shaking his head, Benjamin retorted, "Mr. Collins, you didn't lose to me. You lost because you put too much faith in Celestoria's protection. I wasn't thrilled about being manipulated by you either."
Putting on a tough front, Hudson declared, "Do what you gotta do!"
Pointing a finger defiantly, Benjamin stated, "I won't kill or torture you, Mr. Collins. I'll just take you back to Stormaria for a fair trial. You'll spend the rest of your days behind bars!"
With that, Benjamin knocked out Hudson, bound him securely with ropes and tape, then turned to Zachary, saying, "Thanks."
"No sweat," Zachary replied. "Now, you need to keep your end of the deal and take control of all of Hudson's assets and enterprises."
Shaking his head, Benjamin confessed, "I have no clue about running a business."
Zachary reassured him, "Don't worry. Hudson's business was a front for accumulating wealth for himself, but in reality, he was working for Celestoria. All his funds came from the government, which also conducted shady deals through him."
Benjamin finally grasped the situation. Zachary wanted him to step into Hudson's shoes as a lackey for Celestoria. Benjamin slowly realized a harsh truth. Hudson's success wasn't just his cunning; it was backed by Celestoria. With that support, Hudson operated with ease, unstoppable.
However, following Hudson's path would mean betraying his own country. While many in Stormaria earned enough to move to Celestoria, Benjamin had different aspirations. Even if he considered relocating, Celestoria wasn't his choice. With its military might, it was bound to attract enemies.
Another issue nagged at Benjamin. Celestoria enforced monogamous marriage, a law he found absurd. He couldn't even count his partners. Choosing just one seemed impossible. Ava was great, Divine was a contender, Aurora was ideal, Alicia was suitable, and even Somnia, who served him devotedly, could be a choice.
Juggling his thoughts, Benjamin realized that if he lived in Stormaria, he'd owe many women apologies. Luckily, these women were understanding and held no grudges about his multiple relationships.
Living in Stormaria would undoubtedly present a dilemma for Benjamin when it came to choosing a partner.
These concerns had weighed on Benjamin's mind repeatedly.
Ultimately, Benjamin couldn't bring himself to accept Zachary's offer to become a lackey for Celestoria. However, making discreet moves against them seemed feasible. If his actions were exposed later on, Benjamin could be prepared. Stormaria needed his strength to fend off the godsons and goddesses' invasion, ensuring they wouldn't turn against him. Benjamin believed that when the tables turned, he would have stepped down.
Feigning enthusiasm, Benjamin agreed to Zachary's request. He then concealed Hudson in a black bag and flew back to Stormaria on the private plane.
Luckily, Hudson operated behind the scenes, virtually unknown to the public. His absence wouldn't raise many eyebrows.
Returning Hudson to the CIA caused a commotion at the National Security Agency. Even the three Warlords of the agency praised Benjamin's actions. They were astounded to learn that Benjamin had reached the First-Stage Divine Realm at just twenty-four or twenty-five, while they had spent a lifetime reaching only the Fifth-Stage Terrestrial Realm.
As the world's sole expert in the Celestial Realm at his age, Benjamin naturally stirred envy among them.
Upon discovering that the three Warlords had lingering injuries, Benjamin conducted individual diagnoses. He found that while most toxins had been cleared, blockages in their meridians hindered their energy flow.
Having overcome similar obstacles himself, Benjamin knew how to resolve the issue. He guided the three to a secluded spot and gradually cleared their meridian blockages with his silver energy. Within an hour, their injuries vanished, and their meridians returned to normal. Grateful, the Warlords thanked Benjamin, relieved to be free of ailments that had plagued them for over a decade.
Hudson's file at the National Security Agency was as thick as a dictionary, filled with his past crimes supporting Divine Gate, enough to warrant a death sentence.
Benjamin was aware that Hudson's influence in Celestoria had faded. Most of his businesses and industries had been transferred to Benjamin. With Hudson no longer a concern globally, Benjamin could now shift his focus to dealing with Cameron, a task he had long awaited.
Recent intelligence revealed that after the downfall of Stormwind Sect and Divine Gate, Cameron and his family had relocated to Celestoria. Refusing to accept defeat, Cameron had joined forces with Valoria, aiming to continue the battle against Benjamin using Valoria's resources.
Benjamin pondered who had emboldened Cameron to challenge him. Valoria's Vice President, Herbert, had always been a formidable adversary, but Benjamin had yet to confront him. With some free time now, Benjamin's priority was to confront them in Valoria.
Leaving the CIA, Benjamin assembled the five young members of the Dragon Corps Guard: Terra Fury, Ignis Valor, Aqua Serenity, Aero Blaze, and Nova Alliance. It was time for them to face challenges and strengthen the Dragon Corps with new recruits. Fortunately, during their time at Crystal Summit, the young members had integrated well with the Dragon Corps. Their inclusion should be seamless.
Benjamin drove to Wisdom University, gathered the five young members, and escorted them to the Dragon Corps headquarters, where he convened all eleven members of the Dragon Corps.
After an hour, everyone was seated around the table.
Benjamin positioned the five young members at the far end of the rectangular table.
Observing the new additions to the Dragon Corps, Aurora anticipated Benjamin's intentions and inquired, "Captain, are you really set on having them join the Dragon Corps? They're still just kids."